Trouble logging in?We were forced to invalidate all account passwords. You will have to reset your password to login. If you have trouble resetting your password, please send us a message with as much helpful information as possible, such as your username and any email addresses you may have used to register. Whatever you do, please do not create a new account. That is not the right solution, and it is against our forum rules to own multiple accounts.

Its strange that they are putting so much thought into showing Yoshida with her death-talisman, i mean i know its a big thing, but whenever they give it screentime it makes me feel like she is about to use it, and for no reason because Yuiji is not even there or in trouble.

Otherwise i rate this a 7/10 but thats propably becasue i watched it after an incredibly comical and well made episode of Clannad.

The 'romantic spectrum' in this season thus far has been garbage. In fact, there hasn't been anything remotely romantic this season worth noting outside of Tanaka and Ogata. When the first epsidode resets the character development of the entire season that came before it, well that's just a clear sign that they don't have a bloody clue what they're doing.

I was so happy to see where Shana and Yuji had gotten before that I end up mad and frustrated at the constant failed attempts of 'romance' that were thrown at us at the start of this season. I lost count of how many times Yoshida and Shana were plastered to the panes of the school's windows watching Yuji walking with Konoe, or the incessant need to repeat the lines Yuji's dad gave them as a pep talk, or Yoshida and Shana constantly acknowledging the other as a 'love rival'.

They only gave Shana and Yuji as much romantic development as they did in the first season in order to help give it some closure since they weren't sure if there would be a second, when there was they had no choice but to backtrack if they still wanted to follow the novels at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master Chibi

It's so horrendously bloody obvious that Yoshida doesn't have a chance in hell with Yuji no matter what she does. Fine, go ahead and like the character, cheer her on all you want, but in the end you know it's all for nothing because Yuji and Shana's relationship with one another is far more worthwhile, and Yoshida has never been anything more then a footnote to the entire ordeal since the very start of the first season. At best she served her purpose as something to stir up jealousy for Shana, but again that's helping develop Shana's character. Yoshida's pretty much been a plot device from the start (who stopped working 15 episodes ago).

Thank god Pheles gave her that cross (which apparently came with a pre-requisite of 50 flashbacks of her telling Yoshida what it's to be used for and what it really means to use it), because not only do I have the glimmer of hope that Yoshida will be written out of the story, but it actually gives her a reason to be there! Her showing up to the meeting Pheles was absurdly selfish, my forehead had handmarks from me slapping it too much while watching.

Bah.

You know, it *is* possible to empathize with and like Kazumi Yoshida as a character while still acknowledging that she doesn't have a chance with Yuji...

They only gave Shana and Yuji as much romantic development as they did in the first season in order to help give it some closure since they weren't sure if there would be a second, when there was they had no choice but to backtrack if they still wanted to follow the novels at all.

You know, it *is* possible to empathize with and like Kazumi Yoshida as a character while still acknowledging that she doesn't have a chance with Yuji...

I agree on both of your points here, Nemo.

The "Yuji didn't hear Shana's confession." reset was kind of contrived, and annoying, but in order to keep the romantic tension going, I suppose it was necessary.

Also, in fairness, until the last few episodes, I thought that Kazumi did have a decent shot of ending up with Yuji... it's only over the last few episodes where Yuji/Shana seems like a foregone conclussion.

For a long period during Season 1, I felt that Kazumi had the edge on Shana, largely since Kazumi was admirably more straightforward in expressing her feelings to Yuji (Shana could learn something there), and also since Shana chickened out a bit on the whole "will Shana kiss Yuji?" part of Season 1.

As for our slightly differing takes on the latest Yuji/Shana training sessions - well, I do think that they've progressed nicely from even just a few episodes ago, so that's good. On this point, I think that we can agree.

Don't worry though, when the next Shana-tan rolls around, you will get Uruchai! and that's almost as good.

Growing up means Shana is done being a child.
But in battle, she's got skills of the wild.
In the Shana-tan specials,
Triple uruchais may be one of the things worthwhile to see.
But in regards to their adult themes,
I hope to see Pheles try to violate a cornered Yuji.

__________________

If you really have the guts to stand up and look at me eye to eye, I'll say I screwed you once and I'd screw you again!

I for one don't think Yuji's new badassness is actually all that much out of character; it's actually far more plausible than his obliviousness during the Konoe arc. Early in season 1, Yuji was shown to be adaptable and level-headed, and he was the one who asked for the training in the first place. I didn't dislike the Konoe episodes as much as some people, but it certainly was dubious in many ways. Yuji's panicky behavior in the Pheles arc disappointed me, but it was far more plausible than the emotional cluelessness of the Konoe arc; how well would any of you deal with the idea that a powerful Tomogara is obsessed with you, that some crazy armored monster is also residing inside of you, and, oh, btw, the folks who nearly killed you at the end of season 1 are still after you? That scene where Yuji felt distant from his own parents struck me as terribly sad. I'll cut the kid some slack, and his new determination to *do* something about it brings back the old Yuji who instead of dwelling on his fate as a torch spent so much effort trying to make Hirai's last moments somewhat happy. Remember Shana's comment that some torches actually committed suicide after hearing the truth? Most can't handle the truth, and Yuji has done quite well dealing with his fate. He's decided to fight, and more power to him for it.

Yuji's reaction to Shana's panicked hugging in the previous ep. also brought back some of his emotional awareness, it seems; I don't mind in principle the idea that Yuji doesn't fully realize Shana's feelings, but the Konoe arc mishandled the issue pretty badly. Hopefully we're done with that. The return of tsundere Shana with her roundhouse kick in training was also nice.

As for Shana's seeming confusion over Yuji's aggressiveness; I'm not sure what to make of it. It could be an interesting way to look at their relationship; Shana's clearly very protective of Yuji, and she may have to adjust to his new desire to fight things out himself, as opposed him to just being a helper of sorts. Shana always wanted Yuji to be able to fight, but that was mostly because it was a way of them being together; I think she always expected him to hang back in relative safety. He'd have to be capable enough to take care of himself on a basic level, and to be useful, so that they could truly fight *together*, but I don't think Shana ever conceived of him as actually engaging in direct combat with a melee weapon, where he wouldn't be so easily protected by her. After all of Shana's complaints about his weakness and resolve, this is somewhat ironic, and brings back some of her old tsundere character. Underneath all that tough rhetoric, she'd actually rather Yuji be less determined in combat so she can protect him better.

Before I start my rant... I mean post I'd like to say I like the new Yuji, but...

The changes to Yuji's personality and character seem so clunky to me. From the beginning of S1 to now it feels like I'm sitting in a car of a beginner driver. But in saying that I am far happier with this new motivated Yuji then back hole boy from earlier episodes.

Its really hard to say how I feel about Tanaka, whilst I respect him for making his own decision, I kinda think it is the ostrich path. The problem with SnS universe is once you realise what is really going on in the world, it means that you can be eaten/blown up at anytime and then no one will realise that you even existed. At least if he kept the talisman he could have noticed when something was up and been able to attempt to pull his loved ones out of danger.

Me thinks maybe it is not Margery he is scared/hates/angsting over, but himself. Remember in S1 when the class room was attacked, Yuji tried his darndest to pull everyone out of the room. Tanaka didn't really have any time but he didn't do anything but freeze when Margery went nuts. So maybe deep down inside Tanaka is hating himself for his lack of action? I am a bit confused about how she was fixed as I thought too much damage can't be repaired.

Before I start my rant... I mean post I'd like to say I like the new Yuji, but...

The changes to Yuji's personality and character seem so clunky to me. From the beginning of S1 to now it feels like I'm sitting in a car of a beginner driver. But in saying that I am far happier with this new motivated Yuji then back hole boy from earlier episodes.

Its really hard to say how I feel about Tanaka, whilst I respect him for making his own decision, I kinda think it is the ostrich path. The problem with SnS universe is once you realise what is really going on in the world, it means that you can be eaten/blown up at anytime and then no one will realise that you even existed. At least if he kept the talisman he could have noticed when something was up and been able to attempt to pull his loved ones out of danger.

Me thinks maybe it is not Margery he is scared/hates/angsting over, but himself. Remember in S1 when the class room was attacked, Yuji tried his darndest to pull everyone out of the room. Tanaka didn't really have any time but he didn't do anything but freeze when Margery went nuts. So maybe deep down inside Tanaka is hating himself for his lack of action? I am a bit confused about how she was fixed as I thought too much damage can't be repaired.

I think you can repair anything, as long as you've got the PoE for it. Yuuji's got a lot, and he's willing to donate it.

I really don't see where Yuji's personality changed, that is if you compare Yuji from the end of S1 to around episode 12 in S2 (meaning you forget that the Konoe are ever happened). Yuji's panicing with the Phele's arc is explainable in that he did go through a lot of trama there and now he's finally getting back to his good old self like he was in S1. I hope that Yuji gets more badass as the season progresses :P